Repair of heating radiators: threaded connections,

As usual, force majeure happen when you do not expect. Radiator leaks or a frank leak is a signal to act. Many problems are solved independently, without the help of specialists. Today we will do the repair of radiators with their own hands.

React immediately

There are two kinds of problems in the heating system:

• Coolant flow from threaded connections;
• Leak from the radiator body - cracks, cracks, other defects of cast structures.

Whatever may be said about the repair of various heaters, the elimination methods are the same for different radiators. The only difficulty may be the repair of old heating elements, but for these cases, our instruction describes techniques that solve such problems.

Threaded connections

This is the most common pathology of the system. Rubber gaskets or seals, nipple rings and other elastic attributes wear first. Do not help and advice to conduct a thorough audit of the system before the start of the heating season, the weak link appears at the most inopportune moment, and in the middle of winter.

Then we will carry out a simple repair of the threaded connection.

For clarity, we analyze the repair of bimetallic radiators with their own hands:

• Disconnect the radiator itself from the heating system, this is done easily — by overlapping water at the inlet, at the return;
• Under the radiator fits pan to drain excess water when unwinding the connection;
• With a wrench, unscrew the union nut and check the condition of the gasket or gland;

Practice! Even with prolonged use, you rarely see the gland ruptures, but signs of thinning or deformation are evident immediately. This means that the gasket is leaky. It must be replaced.

• We put a new gland or gasket of the appropriate diameter;
• Turn on the water supply to the radiator, if necessary, after a while we let the air out of the radiator with the help of a Mayevsky crane.

Leak can be different

Threaded connections may not have sealing gaskets, coolant may escape from under the intersectional seal, as well as problematic old cast-iron leaky batteries. As you can see, three problems were formed at once, which we will solve by the example of good old cast iron.

We will repair cast iron radiators:

• Check connections without seals;
• Repair nipple system;
• Old connections do not unscrew what to do?

Flax + pasta

Connections without a sealant suggest the presence of flax threads and a special paste for sealing. Initially correctly assembled compound does not leak. But there are situations when, after cleaning the radiator, the heater itself was hastily assembled and the fiber was wound with errors, then leakages are possible.

We spend:

• Wrench or hex (if an error occurred in an American) unwind the connection;
• We carry out an audit of the connection itself for the presence of a broken thread;

Tip! This procedure is necessary, since one of the possible causes of leakage is precisely the broken thread. The components of the compound itself are subject to complete replacement.

• Remove the old fiber and paste residues; degrease and wipe the threads;
• On the grooves we wind flax with uniform strands without lumps and folds, evenly distributing the fibers against the thread. Direction of laying fibers only against the progress of the thread;
• Put a paste on a layer of flax and twist the joint.

Nipple system

Determine the flow is not difficult - there are rust-colored grooves on the paint.

Ideally, do the following:

• The battery is disconnected from the system as described above;
• The coolant is drained, the radiator is removed from the supports;
• A set of plugs is removed;
• Special keys unfolding nipple connections;

Note! To correctly determine the distance to the required nipple, the key is first tried on the outer surface. In this case, the middle of the key head corresponds to the middle of the nipple connection. One entrance will have the right thread, the other - the left. In order not to confuse, look at the plugs at the inputs, as they understand, so will the nipple connections.

• Revise nipple connectors. Defects of the nipples themselves are not excluded, although seal rings are more often unsuitable. Change what needs to be replaced;
• Reassemble in the reverse order.

Tip! Disassembly / assembly of the sections is best done together. Sections will fit tightly, without distortions and possible subsequent problems.

Troubled cast iron

Cast iron can bring some more problems. During long-term operation of the heater plugs and fittings “stick” to one another. The dismantling of such connections becomes very problematic. In this case, use the following:

Recommendation! Many problems with cast iron can be solved with a blowtorch. If the leak comes from the nearest connection, then you can safely heat the connection, destroying the gasket, it still needs to be changed. If the flow comes from the nipple, then in another way, you will not get to it, this time. And secondly, if there are such problems with plugs, they will definitely be with nipples. Heat compounds without fear, but don't forget about safety. Wallpaper and the floor is better to lay sheet metal.

Leak from the hull

Situations are possible. Let's carry out repair of aluminum radiators of heating the hands. Why aluminum, we explain - aluminum is an excellent material, its products can withstand pressure, commensurate with the pressure that can withstand cast iron.

Aluminum does not tolerate hydraulic shocks and can be deformed, in addition, it does not tolerate various chemicals that are added to the heating system.

Body leak is eliminated:

• After the radiator overlaps and the water is drained, the place of the defect is degreased;
• A special sealant or cold welding is applied to the defect according to the scheme that is painted on the package;
• In place fit rubber insert, which, if possible, clings to the clamp.

Tip! This method is an emergency, in a good way, you have to change the link, that is, to go full circle. However, for some time such a filling will successfully fulfill its function.

Finally

Repair of heating radiators is not so much complicated as unpleasant. And the price of this repair is not too high. The video in this article will reveal the topic with visual information.